Stair Tips

As more and more clients try to avoid large newel posts and feature continuous timber handrails to give a smooth flowing feel to their bespoke staircase, we have produced this short video to explain a little bit about the types of handrail components that are typically used on a staircase project.

It seems like every company is offering a standard spiral staircase in kit form these days.

However the truth is that virtually every installation will be different and therefore the only thing that can be standard is the centre column.

The treads are then adjusted to accommodate the varying floor to ceiling heights.

But this is when the problems start to arise when it comes to timber handrails and balustrades on a spiral staircase. As soon as you change the pitch of the handrail you change every angle of the spiral. You also change the height of every spindle.

The difference between an ordinary and an extraordinary staircase can come down to the finest of design details.

The use of volutes and wreathed volutes as opposed to newel posts will add a touch of grandeur to the stair.

A simple touch could be removing the traditional base rail and closed stringer in favour of open string stairs where the spindle sits directly on the treads, which in turn are finished ends. These can be accentuated with decorative cut and bracket mouldings.